2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: I. WE SHALL FIRST ATTEND TO THE APOSTLE'S DESCRIPTION OF THE MORAL WORLD, He says of man that he is dead. This strong figure of language expresses the inertness as to spiritual duties — the inutility — the offensiveness of a soul alienated from the life of God. He intimates, by this allusion, that the nature of man is in that state which no more answers the designs of his creation than the tenant of a grave can promote the purposes and discharge the offices of social existence. II. THE ASSURANCE THAT THE ASPECT OF THE ATONEMENT IS UNIVERSAL AS THE DOMINION OF HUMAN GUILT AND WRETCHEDNESS. This forms the second motive of the apostle's zeal. This sentiment is not more animating as a doctrine of faith than it has been found efficient as a principle of Christian activity. Its influence on the generous spirit of the apostle elicited an active benevolence so warm that it could not be agreeably employed in an enterprise less sublime than that of applying, in the widest possible sense, the remedy of the gospel to the universal infection. III. SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE NATURE OF THIS LOVE SEEM NECESSARY BEFORE WE CAN FIX UPON THE LINE OF ARGUMENT WHICH IT WILL BE MOST PROPER AND INTERESTING TO FOLLOW. 1. The love of Christ may constrain as an example. 2. The love of Christ constrains likewise by the force of gratitude. What bonds of obligations are implied in these expressions, "We live!" "He died for us, and rose again!"Guided by this definition of the subject, we proceed now to illustrate it by the following observations: — 1. This love is a principle of self-consecration to the interests of Jesus Christ. 2. The love of Christ is accompanied by a principle of strong anticipation of His mediatorial glory in the world. The Church of Jesus Christ, breathing His Spirit, is naturally concerned in all that relates to His glory. The Sun of Righteousness is not for ever to be clouded: and it does gratify the love we cherish toward our glorious Saviour to be assured that a day is coming in which the whole world shall be the scene of His triumphant influence. 3. The love of Christ implies an habitual reliance on the agency of the Holy Spirit. (S. Curwen.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: |
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